U.S. patent number 7,717,842 [Application Number 11/037,258] was granted by the patent office on 2010-05-18 for apparatus and method for generating pulsating noise in audio device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Jong Woo Kim, Oh Suk Kwon.
United States Patent |
7,717,842 |
Kwon , et al. |
May 18, 2010 |
Apparatus and method for generating pulsating noise in audio
device
Abstract
An apparatus and method for generating pulsating noise in an
audio device are provided. The apparatus and method mix audio
signals processed by an audio play operation with pulsating noise
generated by a pulsating noise generator if a brain wave induction
mode is set in an audio device and output a result of the mixing
operation through wired or wireless speaker. Therefore, a user can
efficiently experience brain wave induction action based on the
pulsating noise while he/she hears audio from the speaker.
Inventors: |
Kwon; Oh Suk (Seoul,
KR), Kim; Jong Woo (Seoul, KR) |
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc. (Seoul,
KR)
|
Family
ID: |
35097151 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/037,258 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20050234290 A1 |
Oct 20, 2005 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 31, 2004 [KR] |
|
|
10-2004-0022129 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
21/00 (20130101); A61M 2021/0027 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
21/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;600/28,27,545
;128/898,899,905 ;434/262,236 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lacyk; John P
Attorney, Agent or Firm: KED & Associates, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for generating pulsating noise in an audio device,
comprising: an audio signal processor configured to provide an
audio signal from a DVD; a pulsating noise generator configured to
generate pulsating noise at a predetermined frequency; and a mixing
device that mixes the audio signal from the audio signal processor
with the pulsating noise from the pulsating noise generator and
provides the mixed output signal.
2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pulsating
noise generator is further configured to generate various sound
sources.
3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pulsating
noise generator is mounted within a communication transmission
module.
4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the communication
transmission module comprises a local area wireless transmission
module.
5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the pulsating
noise generator is controlled by a user input through an input
device.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a
controller configured to control operation of the pulsating noise
generator based on a user request.
7. An audio device comprising: an audio signal processor configured
to provide an audio signal from a DVD; a pulsating noise generator
configured to generate pulsating noise at a predetermined
frequency; and a mixing device that mixes the audio signal from the
audio signal processor with the pulsating noise from the pulsating
noise generator and provides the mixed output signal.
8. A DVD player comprising an audio device including: an audio
signal processor configured to provide an audio signal from a DVD;
a pulsating noise generator configured to generate pulsating noise
at a predetermined frequency; and a mixing device that mixes the
audio signal from the audio signal processor with the pulsating
noise from the pulsating noise generator and provides the mixed
output signal.
9. A method for generating pulsating noise in an audio device,
comprising: determining, by a controller, whether an audio play
operation is requested; determining, by the controller, whether a
brain wave induction mode is set; providing an audio signal from a
DVD when the audio play operation is requested; generating
pulsating noise when the brain wave induction mode is set; and
mixing the pulsating noise with the audio signal from the DVD to
provide an output signal.
10. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:
receiving a user request via an input device; and confirming the
user request before the determinings.
11. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:
generating pulsating noises and/or specific sound sources selected
by a user, when the brain wave induction operation is
requested.
12. The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the method is
implemented in an audio device of a DVD player.
13. An apparatus comprising: a device to provide an audio signal
from a DVD; a pulsating noise generator to generate pulsating noise
at a predetermined frequency, the pulsating noise being designed to
induce a brain wave of a user corresponding to the predetermined
frequency; a device to combine the audio signal and the pulsating
noise and provide an output signal; and an electronic communication
device that provides electronic communication of the output signal
from the apparatus.
14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein the electronic
communication device comprises a wireless communication device to
wirelessly transmit the output signal from the apparatus.
15. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein generating
pulsating noises and/or specific sound sources selected by the
user, when the brain wave induction operation is requested
comprises concurrently generating pulsating noises and specific
sound sources selected by the user, when the brain wave induction
operation is requested.
16. An audio device comprising: a device to provide an audio signal
from a DVD; a pulsating noise generator to generate pulsating noise
at a predetermined frequency, the pulsating noise being designed to
induce a brain wave of a user corresponding to the predetermined
frequency; a device to combine the audio signal and the pulsating
noise and provide an output signal; and an electronic communication
device that provides electronic communication of the output signal
from the apparatus.
17. A DVD player comprising an audio device including: a device to
provide an audio signal from a DVD; a pulsating noise generator to
generate pulsating noise at a predetermined frequency, the
pulsating noise being designed to induce a brain wave of a user
corresponding to the predetermined freguency; a device to combine
the audio signal and the pulsating noise and provide an output
signal; and an electronic communication device that provides
electronic communication of the output signal from the
apparatus.
18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a
speaker to output the mixed output signal.
19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a
transmission unit to wirelessly transmit the mixed output
signal.
20. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a
speaker to output the output signal from the audio device.
21. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprising a
transmission unit to wirelessly transmit the output signal from the
audio device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating
pulsating noise in an audio device.
2. Background of the Related Art
Generally, human brain waves are low frequency, around 30 Hz, and
can be classified into types based on human mental activity. For
example, as shown in FIG. 1, when human mental activity is
operating normally, beta waves having a frequency range of about
15.about.30 Hz are generated. If a person continuously engages in a
mental activity associated with beta waves, he/she is easily
exhausted.
Alpha waves having a frequency range of about 8.about.14 Hz are
generated when a person rests, for example, through meditation and
concentrates on something. Theta waves having a frequency range of
about 4.about.7 Hz are generated when a person displays his/her
learning ability or is in light sleep and drowsiness. Delta waves
having a frequency range of about 0.5.about.3 Hz are generated when
a person is in the deepest stage of sleep. Also, gamma waves of
more than about 30 Hz are generated when a person is extremely
excited or gets angry.
Brain wave induction technology involves artificially synchronizing
human brain waves to a desired frequency. Namely, brain wave
induction technology employs Frequency Following Effect (FFE) of
the human brain, in which, when a person is visually or aurally
stimulated at a predetermined frequency, a brain wave corresponding
to the predetermined frequency is induced. Accordingly, when a
person works under a strain or feels stress due to his/her routine
work, he/she can get a refreshment effect as alpha waves having the
frequency range of about 8.about.14 Hz is induced putting his/her
brain in a state similar to when he/she rests and relaxes both
mentally and physically.
Optical glasses are used in most brain wave inductors. For example,
LEDs with a relatively high light emission are turned on and off
ten times per second to induce Alpha wave of about 10 Hz.
Also, technologies inducing brain waves by stimulating auditory
senses are classified into, for example, those using a Binaural
Beat, those using a Modulated Noise, and those using a Pulsating
Noise. Technologies using Binaural Beats are operated such that,
when sounds having different frequencies `f` and `f+a` in
sinusoidal waves are applied to the right and left ears,
respectively, brain waves corresponding to a frequency difference
`a` is induced. For example, when sounds at frequencies of 200 Hz
and 210 Hz are applied to the right and left eats, respectively,
alpha waves of 10 Hz are induced in the brain. However, since
sounds having different frequencies in sinusoidal waves should be
applied directly to the right and left ears, respectively, users
must utilize stereo earphones or a headphone.
Pulsating noise technology operates in such a way that a specific
noise or pure sound of a specific frequency is pulsated to provide
optical stimulation of a predetermined frequency to users to
induce, for example, alpha waves. Therefore, users can use a
speaker rather than stereo earphones or a headphone.
Recently, a need to experience brain wave induction phenomenon
using pulsating noise has been requested while a user listens to
audio through a speaker without wearing earphones or a headphone.
However, previously there has been no solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to solve at least the above problems
and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages
described hereinafter.
In order to achieve at least the above objects, in whole or in
part, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as
embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an
apparatus for generating pulsating noise in an audio device in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention that includes an
audio unit including an audio signal processing unit for processing
audio data, a pulsating noise generator for generating pulsating
noise at a predetermined frequency, and a mixing unit, wherein the
mixing unit mixes an audio signal processed by the audio signal
processing unit with the pulsating noise generated by the pulsating
noise generator.
To further achieve at least the above objects, in whole or in part,
and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied
and broadly described herein, there is provided a method for
generating pulsating noise in an audio device in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention that includes confirming whether a
brain wave induction mode is set if an audio play operation is
requested, generating pulsating noise if there is a confirmation
indicating that the brain wave induction mode is set, and mixing
the pulsating noise with an audio signal processed by the audio
play operation.
To further achieve at least the above objects, in whole or in part,
and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied
and broadly described herein, there is provided an apparatus for
generating pulsating noise for use with an audio device in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention that includes a
pulsating noise generator configured to generate pulsating noise at
a predetermined frequency, the pulsating noise being designed to
induce a brain wave of a user corresponding to the predetermined
frequency, and electronic communication means for providing
electronic communication with an audio device.
Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part
will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon
examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in detail with reference to the
following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like
elements wherein:
FIG. 1 is a chart illustrating categories of human brain waves
based on frequency bands;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for generating pulsating
noise in an audio device according to an embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus combining a transmission
module with an apparatus for generating pulsating noise according
to an embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for generating pulsating noise
in an audio device according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now, an apparatus and method for generating pulsating noise
according to embodiments of the invention will be described in
detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference
numerals have been used to designate like elements. An apparatus
and method for generating pulsating noise according to embodiments
of the invention can be applied to various type audio devices that
read out audio signals from a recording medium, such as a DVD, and
output them through a wired or wireless speaker. An audio device
100 adopting the invention, such as a DVD receiver, is shown in
FIG. 2, and includes an optical disc 10, an optical pick-up 11, a
DVD play system 12, a video decoder 13, an audio decoder 14, a
microcomputer 15, a mixer 16, an amplifier 17, and a pulsating
noise generator 18.
The pulsating noise generator 18 may be included in the audio
device 100, or may be a separate device for universality which can
be connected to the audio device 100. In the latter case, the
pulsating noise generator 18 may include a device for receiving a
user input, for example, an infrared (IR) reception unit 15A, such
that a user can directly control the pulsating noise generator 18.
Also, the pulsating noise generator 18 may input commands from the
audio device 100 to control pulsating noise generation.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a pulsating noise
generator 218, as shown in FIG. 3, may be mounted within a
transmission module 220, for example, a Local Area wireless
communication apparatus, such as a BLUETOOTH.RTM. transmission
module. In this case, the transmission module 220 can control
operation of the pulsating noise generator 218 through a command
based on user direct input or command input from an audio device
200, such as a DVD receiver.
As shown in FIG. 3, the DVD receiver 200 includes a microcomputer
215 and is configured to receive user input and output an audio
output signal to the transmission module 220. The transmission
module 220 includes the pulsating noise generator 218 as part of an
encoding DSP 224, which communicates with a transmission unit 226,
for example, a BLUETOOTH.RTM. transmission unit, via a TX module.
The transmission module 220 is in wireless communication with a
wireless speaker 230, which includes a reception unit 238, such as
a BLUETOOTH.RTM. reception unit, in communication via a RX module
with a Decoding DSP 236, an amplifier 234, and a speaker 232.
The pulsating noise generator 18 or 218 generates pulsating noise
of a predetermined frequency band if a user requests an induction
operation for a specific brain wave during an audio play operation
or regardless of an audio play operation. Also, while audio is not
being played, the pulsating noise generator 18 or 218 may generate
pulsating noise of a predetermined frequency band according to a
user request and, at the same time, generate one of a plurality of
sound sources, for example, a raining sound, a stream sound, or a
bird sound, previously stored in a memory. Accordingly, a user may
sleep or meditate based on the pulsating noise and/or various sound
sources generated as indicated above.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for generating pulsating noise
in an audio device according to an embodiment of the invention. The
method for generating pulsating noise in an audio device according
to an embodiment of the invention is discussed with reference in
the apparatus shown in FIG. 2. However, it should be understood
that the method may be implemented with any type audio device.
As shown in FIG. 4, when a key input is selected by a user, the
microcomputer 15 confirms a value corresponding to the key input,
in step S10. Then, if an audio play operation is requested by the
user through key buttons, for example, in a remote controller, in
step S11, the microcomputer 15 confirms that a brain wave induction
mode has been set, in step S12.
If the brain wave induction mode has been set based on the result
of the confirmation, the microcomputer 15 controls the DVD play
system 12, the video decoder 13, and audio decoder 14 to perform an
audio play operation and simultaneously controls the pulsating
noise generator 18 to perform pulsating noise operation, in step
S13.
Here, the mixer 16 mixes the audio signal processed by the audio
decoder 14 with the pulsating noise of a predetermined frequency
band generated by the pulsating noise generator 18 to output the
mixed signal to the amplifier 16. The amplifier 16 amplifies the
mixed signal to output it to a speaker.
Also, the mixed signal may be output to a wireless speaker through,
for example, a transmission module, such as a BLUETOOTH.RTM.
transmission module, connected to the line-out. In this case, the
transmission module encodes the mixed signal in a predetermined
format to perform wireless transmission, for example, Local Area
Wireless Communication, and transmits it in a wireless transmission
manner. In the case of a BLUETOOTH.RTM. module, a BLUETOOTH.RTM.
reception module receives and decodes the wireless signal from the
transmission module and amplifies it to the speaker.
According to embodiments of the invention, because the pulsating
noise is a signal having a low frequency band even less than that
of a general audio signal, it does not affect the audio signal
mixed by the mixer 16. Further, if the brain wave induction mode
has not been set in step S12, the microcomputer 15 controls
operation of the DVD play system 12 the video decoder 13, and audio
decoder 14, and operation of the pulsating noise generator 18 is
omitted, in step S14, such that only a general audio play operation
is performed.
On the other hand, when a brain induction operation is requested by
a user in a state in which an audio play operation is not
requested, in step S15, the microcomputer 15 controls the pulsating
noise generator 18 such that pulsating noise of a predetermined
frequency band is generated and/or one of various sound sources,
such as a raining sound, a stream sound, or a bird sound, which are
previously stored in a memory, is generated based on a user's
selection, in step S16.
Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, in the case that the pulsating noise
generator is mounted within an encoding DSP of a transmission
module, the encoding DSP mixes the pulsating noise generated from
the core with audio signal output from the audio device, such as
the DVD receiver.
The apparatus and method for generating pulsating noise in an audio
device according to embodiments of the invention provide at least
the following advantages.
The apparatus and method for generating pulsating noise in an audio
device according to embodiments of the invention ate capable of
reading out audio signals from a recording medium, such as a
Digital Versatile/Video Disc (DVD), and outputting the audio
signals together with pulsating noise of a predetermined frequency
band for brain wave induction through a wired or wireless
speaker.
The apparatus and method for generating pulsating noises according
to embodiments of the invention are capable of outputting pulsating
noises and audio signals together through a speaker in a general
audio device. Accordingly, the user can naturally feel brain wave
induction phenomenon, receiving pulsating noise while he/she hears
audio from a speaker. Also, a user can effectively sleep or
meditate using specific sound sources.
The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and
are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The present
teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The
description of the invention is intended to be illustrative, and
not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives,
modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in
the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to
cover the structures described herein as performing the recited
function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent
structures.
* * * * *